Caregiving

Hawaii Care Homes: An AARP Survey

This and Related Reports

Recent Census data shows that life expectancy and the size of the 50+ population in Hawaii are among the nation's highest. Moreover, the 50th State's age 50+ population is growing at a faster rate than most of the nation. As a result of the graying of Hawaii, more and more people in Hawaii will need to plan for their long-term care. One longterm care option is an adult residential care home often referred to as a care home.

The AARP Hawaii Care Home Survey investigates the degree of AARP member support for AARP advocacy to improve the quality of Hawaii's care homes. Specifically, the survey measures Hawaii members' support for a key provision of the Department of Health's revised rules--permitting unannounced inspections of adult care homes in Hawaii to ensure the quality of care and protect the residents.

Key findings include:

Seventy-nine percent of members think protecting residents of care homes is a top (36%) or high priority (43%) for AARP.

Most members (86%) would still strongly support unannounced inspections even if care homes closed as a result.

Three quarters (75%) of members are much more (47%) or somewhat more likely (28%) to vote for a candidate for state office who protects residents of care homes.

AARP commissioned Mattson Sunderland Research and Planning Associates, a firm in Hawaii, to conduct a telephone survey of 801 Hawaii AARP members from May 2, 2001 through May 20, 2001, including 496 members from Oahu, 160 members from Hawaii, 97 members from Maui County, and 48 members from Kauai. For more information, contact Rachelle Cummins at (202) 434-6297.